Oxford's Physics Department named champion of gender equality

The Department of Physics at the University of Oxford has been named a champion of gender equality as part of the Institute of Physics' Project Juno initiative.

Project Juno aims to address the long-standing issue of women being under-represented in physics at UK and Irish universities by recognising and rewarding actions to address the issue and embed better working practices for all.

The department joins 15 others in the UK and Ireland that have attained Champion status – the highest level awarded within Project Juno – having progressed from being a Juno Supporter and then a Juno Practitioner.

Professor John Wheater, Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford, said: 'We are delighted to have been awarded Juno Champion status. We are determined to continue to build on the Juno principles and provide an environment of uniform opportunity for people to succeed as physicists.'

To become a Juno Champion, a department, institute or group must demonstrate that it has embedded the five principles of Project Juno. These concern appointment and selection, career promotion and progression, departmental culture, work allocation, and flexible working practices. There must also be a framework in place to deliver equality of opportunity and reward.

Jennifer Dyer, Head of Diversity at the Institute of Physics, said: 'The Institute is delighted that Oxford University has achieved Juno Champion status. The Oxford Physics team have worked hard to embed gender equality into their physics environment, and we congratulate all those involved in this achievement.

'Project Juno continues to deliver real results, demonstrating the efforts that physics departments are taking to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.'